Richard Vivian Sharpe, born June 4, 1937, in Clones, Co. Monaghan, Ireland, passed away peacefully at Gilchrist Hospice in Towson, MD on January 13, 2026, surrounded by his children, their spouses, and six grandchildren, whose presence in the days before his passing brought him great comfort. He is now reunited in heaven with his beloved wife, Eveleen, who predeceased him just two months earlier.

Richard grew up in Clones, Ireland and attended boarding school at Blackrock College in Dublin followed by the Christian Brothers Primary School Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.  He followed in his father's footsteps and pursued a banking career at the Bank of Ireland in Dublin.  In 1959, while building his career, Richard's life changed forever on the dance floor of Cleary's Ballroom in Dublin, where he met the love of his life. As he fondly recalled, "as luck would have it, who should be there but a young lady in a royal blue dress from Clontarf named Eveleen Harkin." After several years of dating, however, life briefly led them in different directions.

Richard emigrated to Chicago in 1962 at the age of 24, sponsored by his sister Dorcas and her husband Ben, and continued his banking career with Sears Bank. In 1963, although not yet a U.S. citizen, he proudly enlisted in the Army Reserves, where he earned a Letter of Accommodation for achieving the highest overall average in his class.  In 1964, Richard reunited with the love of his life, Eveleen, who had separately emigrated to New York from Ireland in 1963.  They returned to Ireland to be married in 1965 and soon after started raising their children, Karen, Sandra, and Robert while living in Chicago, Dublin, and New York and eventually settled in Towson, MD.

Richard enjoyed a long and fulfilling 30-year career with W.R. Grace, beginning in accounting in Manhattan while balancing full-time work and raising his family. During this time, he pursued higher education in the evenings, earning his undergraduate degree in Business from St. John's University and his Master's degree in Finance from Pace University.  He retired in 1999 as the Director of Compensation and Benefits in Baltimore, after many promotions and years of dedicated service.

One of the proudest moments of Richard's life came on St. Patrick's Day in 1996, when he, Eveleen, and their daughter Sandra became United States citizens together. It was a fitting celebration of both their love for their adopted home and their deep Irish heritage.

On September 6, 2025, Richard and Eveleen celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary surrounded by their children, grandchildren, and loved ones who traveled from Ireland, Chicago, New York, and New Jersey to surprise them. Their six decades together were marked by devotion, laughter, and countless cherished memories.

Richard and Eveleen lived life with energy and joy. They shared a passion for Irish and ballroom dancing, traveled the world on many cruises, played tennis, and competed in pickleball, earning medals in state championships and Senior Olympic competitions. In all they did, they embraced life with enthusiasm and excellence. Richard's devotion to Eveleen never wavered. After her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, he spent the last two years of his life devoted entirely to her care, surrounding her with constant love and compassion. Above all else, his greatest joy was his family.

He is survived by his children, Karen Regan (John Grill), Sandra Kempske (Kevin), and Robert Sharpe (Kimberly); his cherished grandchildren, Connor, Ryan, and Brendan Kempske, and Molly, Anna, and Charley Sharpe; and his extended family who loved him deeply. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Eveleen, his parents Robert "Pop" and Molly Sharpe, and his sisters, Moira Hickey and Dorcas Roman. He was a proud uncle to 37 nieces and nephews, affectionately known as "Uncle Viv," and treasured time with family on both sides of the Atlantic.

Visitation will be held at Ruck Funeral Home in Towson, Maryland, on Sunday, January 18, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a moment prayer at 3:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass celebrating Richard's life will be held at Immaculate Conception Church in Towson on Monday, January 19, at 11:00 a.m.

In remembrance of Richard, please consider a donation to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation or Gilchrist Hospice, who provided such compassionate care to both Richard and Eveleen in their final days.